Tustin’s League Domination Ends : High schools: Newport Harbor wins, 21-14. No. 4-ranked Tillers had not lost to a Sea View team since 1989.

Taking advantage of three first-half breaks, Newport Harbor defeated No. 4 and previously unbeaten Tustin, 21-14, Friday at Newport Harbor, becoming the first Sea View League team since 1989 to beat the Tillers.

Chad LeBass’ interception of a Tustin pass after time had expired in the fourth quarter finished the game and started the rejoicing.

The Sailor players rushed onto the field to the cheers of a homecoming crowd of about 3,000. From the looks and sounds of it, you would have thought the Sailors were celebrating their first league championship since 1985.

But Newport Harbor Coach Jeff Brinkley would have none of that.

“This week isn’t for the championship,” Brinkley said. “Next week is the championship game. This isn’t going to be nearly as big as next week’s game is going to be if we win that one.”

Brinkley, however, probably will excuse his players and fans for their show of emotion. By defeating Tustin (8-1, 3-1), the Sailors (6-3, 3-1) won their third consecutive game and moved into a tie for first place. Tustin, which is ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section Division VI, had won its past nine league games, its past 19 in the regular season, and 21 of 22 overall.

Newport Harbor has been steadily building steam after an inconsistent early season. The Sailors lost their first league game to Saddleback, but since then have won three in a row.

Once again, the Sailors depended heavily on tailback Brandon Finney, who rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown in 31 carries. Finney had carried the ball more than 30 times in the two games before Friday’s, so Tustin was ready.

However, Newport Harbor’s offensive line--center Scott Andrews, guards Marc Barton and Pat Cahill and tackles Amin Mirhadi and Beau Ralphs, who average about 225 pounds--opened large holes in the Tustin front line.

Fullback Tony Mancuso also blocked effectively for Finney, whose second-quarter touchdown came from three yards out and gave the Sailors a 14-7 lead.

Tustin made it easy for the Sailors. Three times in the first half, Tustin made mistakes that gave Newport Harbor the ball in Tiller territory. Each of those times, Newport Harbor scored.

The first mistake was a 20-yard punt that Zach Mathews barely got off after a poor snap. Newport Harbor took possession on the 48 and scored on a 33-yard pass from Mike Ofer to Branon Coluccio.

After Tustin tied the score on a 16-yard pass from Jon Miller to Derek Clemons, Newport Harbor’s Mike Gear returned the kickoff 35 yards. A Tustin facemask penalty moved the ball to the Tustin 40. Finney’s touchdown followed.

Then Aaron James Norton recovered a fumble, giving the Sailors the ball on the Tustin 43. Mancuso eventually scored on a one-yard dive.

Tustin pulled within a touchdown late in the third quarter on a 57-yard drive finished by Keith Thomas’ one-yard touchdown run. But Newport Harbor ran out almost half of the fourth quarter with a long drive that ended in a missed field goal.